Tucson educator, man of the year Jeremy Harkin supports Jason Williams for state Superintendent of Public Instruction

Phoenix, Ariz. - Jason Williams, one of the leading candidates for Superintendent of Public Instruction, announced today that one of the most highly-respected educators in Tucson has endorsed his candidacy.  Jeremy Harkin, the Arizona Daily Star's man of the year, teaches English at Sahuaro High School and is a member of the Arizona Education Association.  His support for Jason is rooted in his belief in Jason's commitment to moving every child forward and ensuring every child in Arizona has access to an excellent public education.
 

"Jason is not just the best candidate, he is the right person to be our next Superintendent of Public Instruction," said Harkin. "Jason genuinely cares about our kids. I believe he will always put students, and their future success, first when making any decisions as Superintendent. I'm excited to be supporting a solid educator and proven educational leader to be our next state Superintendent."

Harkin was chosen last year by the Star as man of the year after being nominated by one of his former students, who Harkin continues to support to this day.  Harkin has overcome several obstacles in life.  Despite being stricken with polio, suffering serious paralysis as an infant and having significant physical limitations today, Harkin is a distance swimmer and raises funds for several charities.  As reported by the Star, Harkin has swum the San Francisco Bay and other bodies of water to raise money through his charity Swim for Cures for groups like Tucson Centers for Women and Children and the Interfaith Coalition for the Homeless.  He was involved in a serious car accident in 1999 that caused serious injuries. Still, Harkin is known for his "adventurous, excited, upbeat and cool under pressure" personality, according to the Star.

"Jeremy's inspirational story is one we should all try to follow," said Williams.  "His perseverance throughout the challenges he has faced and his ability to overcome those obstacles to become a great mentor to his students and leader in his community is motivating.  Attracting and retaining quality teachers like Jeremy is critical to the future success of our children and our schools.  As Superintendent, it will be one of my top priorities to reward and duplicate the success we've seen from teachers like Jeremy so we can ensure all of our children are reaching their full potential.  I am honored to have Jeremy's support."

In 2006, Williams secured the Democratic Party nomination for Superintendent of Public Instruction with a majority of votes in 14 of 15 counties.  In the general election against the Republican incumbent, Williams received more votes than any other non-incumbent Democrat in the closest of all the statewide races.

Since then, Williams has continued his work to ensure every child in Arizona has access to a quality public education.  He currently serves as a Managing Partner for BlueDynamic and was the founder of AZ School Works.  In addition to working with the Roosevelt School District, Williams is a faculty member for Arizona State University's Beat the Odds Institute Parent Liaison Academy, meets weekly to mentor an eighth grade student through Arizona Quest for Kids, and serves on several education-related Boards of Directors and Advisory Committees, including College Depot, Communities in Schools, Genesis City, and Phoenix Collegiate Academy.

From 2000 - 2005, Williams served as Executive Director of Teach For America (TFA) in Phoenix.  During his tenure, local funding for the program doubled, teacher placements increased 150%, and the number of schools and districts partnering with TFA increased 100%.  In addition, under his leadership, student achievement levels for the Phoenix program increased significantly, turning the region from TFA's lowest to its highest performing region in the U.S. in just three years.

For more information about Jason Williams, please visit his website here.  To read more about Jeremy Harkin, please visit the Swimming for Cures website here.

Press Release: N.O.W endorses Jason

Phoenix, Ariz. - August 11, 2010 - Jason Williams, one of the leading candidates for Superintendent of Public Instruction, announced today that the Arizona National Organization for Women (NOW) Political Action Committee has endorsed his candidacy.

In a statement sent this week, NOW, the largest feminist advocacy group in the nation, said they decided to back Williams after determining he shared NOW's values and would support the issues of importance to the women of Arizona.

"I am grateful that the National Organization for Women has recognized my commitment to women's issues," said Williams. "I am proud to stand in support of NOW and the women of Arizona."

The Arizona NOW Political Action Committee works to elect leaders who will protect and advance women's rights. NOW established its national Political Action Committee in 1977, which was followed by the formation of the NOW Equality PAC to support candidates for state and local office. NOW chapters often create their own PACs, which endorse and support candidates through grassroots efforts.

For more information about Jason Williams, please visit his website here. To learn more about the Arizona NOW PAC, click here.

Countdown for AZ Primary

Elections Countdown

President Shirley of Navajo Nation Endorsement

Today, as the people of the Navajo Nation vote in a primary election, I am pleased to announce that Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley, Jr. has endorsed my candidacy for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction.

I am honored to have the support of such a great and nationally-respected leader. President Shirley was inaugurated as President of the Navajo Nation in January 2003. On November 7, 2006, he became the first Navajo president re-elected in 28 years. He is in his 42nd year of public service. Throughout his administration, Dr. Shirley has tirelessly championed the need for the Navajo Nation to regain the autonomy it once knew as a “proud, fierce and independent” people through education, employment, financial strength and accountability, and the preservation of the Navajo language, culture and way of life. To learn more about President Shirley please click here.

I look forward to working with President Shirley and all of the leaders and people of the Navajo Nation to ensure all children in Arizona, including our Navajo children, have the educational opportunities they deserve. Together, in accordance with Diné Education Philospohy, we will ensure “our children [are able to] go forth in life endowed with what is required to achieve their ultimate aspirations.”

Once again, I thank President Shirley for his support and confidence in my ability to move all of Arizona’s children forward. I ask for your support and your vote in the August 24th Democratic primary election. To learn more about my campaign, please my website here.

You can also follow me on Facebook, and Twitter.

 

Make your voice heard- early voting has started

Early voting in the primary election began July 29, 2010.  If you are among the hundreds of thousands of Arizona voters who have signed up to be on the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL) or requested an early ballot, your ballot should be arriving in your mailbox any day now.

Democrats and independent voters who opt to vote in the Democratic Party Primary will have the opportunity to choose who will best serve this state as the next Superintendent of Public Instruction and who will best represent our Democratic values against the Republican Party nominee in the general election.  As a lifelong educator and a lifelong Democrat, I know our children don't have to fail.  The question is, will we fail them?

It has been 16 years since Arizonans elected a Democrat and an educator to lead our public schools. The status quo and special interest insiders have failed to provide excellent public schools for all of Arizona's children.  It's time to elect a Superintendent of Public Instruction who will be a true advocate for our children, someone who will put our kids first and stop at nothing to ensure every child has access to an excellent public school.

I was honored to earn the Democratic Party nomination when I ran for this position in 2006.  In the general election that year, with your help, I came close to beating the Republican incumbent.  In fact, it was the closest of all the statewide races.   We just needed about 25 more votes per precinct.  With the momentum we've built since then, and the grassroots movement you've helped to create, I know we can earn the votes needed to win this election for our children this year.  We must change the direction our state is headed and do what's right for our children.

Over the next 26 days when you mark your ballot, whether you receive it in the mail, at an early voting polling site or your polling location on Election Day, I ask you to join the many leaders listed below who have endorsed my candidacy and vote Jason Williams for Superintendent of Public Instruction.   I, also, ask you to please share this message with your family, friends and colleagues so they can join you in voting Jason Williams for Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Early voting in the primary election has begun.  Please remember to share this message with family, friends and colleagues, and vote Jason Williams for Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Voices of Support
As of today, the following elected officials, community leaders and organizations have endorsed my candidacy. If you would like to add your name to this list of supporters, please email HelpKids@WilliamsForArizona.com.
Community, State and National Organizations

IBEW Local 640
Chandler Chamber of Commerce
Equality Arizona
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona
Arizona State Building and Construction Trades Council
Arizona Pipe Trades 469
Elected Officials

State Representative (House Minority Leader) and Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board Member David Lujan
State Representative Cloves Campbell, Jr.
State Representative Pat Fleming
State Representative Matt Heinz
State Representative Robert Meza
Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox
Maricopa Community College Board Member Randolph Lumm
Phoenix City Councilmember Tom Simplot
Mesa City Councilmember Dennis Kavanaugh
Tempe City Councilmember Joel Navarro
Tempe City Councilmember Corey Woods
Sahuarita Town Councilmember Rosanna Gabaldon
Alhambra Elementary School District Governing Board Member Adam Lopez Falk
Alhambra Elementary School District Governing Board Member Elizabeth Sanchez
Creighton Elementary School District Governing Board Member Matt Jewett
Creighton Elementary School District Governing Board Member Carl Zaragoza
Madison Elementary School District Board Member Robin Stamp
Osborn Elementary School District Board Member Theresa Martinez
Roosevelt Elementary School District Governing Board Member Jim Munoz
Roosevelt Elementary School District Governing Board Member Norma Munoz
Roosevelt Elementary School District Governing Board Member Betty Thompson
Roosevelt Elementary School District Governing Board Member Betty Ware
Tempe Elementary School District Governing Board Member Sherri Connell
Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board President Amy Kobeta
Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board Clerk Linda Abril
Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board Member Lela Alston
Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board Member Dr. George Brooks
Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board Member Dr. Cristy Lopez
Former Coconino County Supervisor Tio Tachias
Former Flagstaff Mayor Bill Erwin
Former Flagstaff City Councilmember Mel Hannah
Former Springerville Mayor David Silva
Community and Business Leaders
Alhambra Elementary School District Superintendent Jim Rice
Former Tolleson High School District Superintendent Kino Flores
Former Round Valley Unified School District Superintendent Dennis Silva (Springerville)
Bishop Henry Barnwell
Pastor Aubrey Barnwell
Gregory E. Torrez
Raul Aguirre
Gene Blue
Luis Ibarra
Pete Garcia
Edmundo Hidalgo
Earl Wilcox
Ray Arvizu
Wayne Manske
Delia Torres
Michael Williams
Deborah Chapman
Armando Contreras
Tony Colon
George Diaz
Tommy Espinoza
John Graham
Esther Lumm
Anna-Marie Mars
Vasti Mugica
Dan Maller
Sal Rivera
Angela Begay
Norma L. Begay

Thank you for your support and your vote.

Public invited to participate in live Telephone Town Hall discussion with state schools chief candidate Jason Williams

http://www.williamsforarizona.com/

Phoenix, Ariz. - July 26, 2010 - After a successful first Telephone Town Hall discussion with parents, educators and the general public Thursday, Democratic candidate for state superintendent of public instruction Jason Williams announced he will be hosting two additional conference-call/radio-talk-show-style question and answer sessions this week.

Nearly 2,500 callers participated in the first Telephone Town Hall, moderated by Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board President Amy Kobeta. That call highlighted critical education-related issues, such as reforming the state accountability system, attracting and retaining excellent teachers in every classroom, and restoring funding to Arizona schools.

The Telephone Town Hall technology is relatively new to Arizona. Williams is one of a handful of candidates and elected officials who have used the tool to reach out to constituents and voters. Williams said his use of the Telephone Town Hall format during this campaign cycle is symbolic of the type of statewide outreach he will engage in as Superintendent of Public Instruction.

"To effectively address the needs of our schools and our students, the state superintendent must connect with all stakeholders across the state, including parents, teachers, students, administrators and community members," said Williams. "I have consistently made a commitment to give voters direct access to the state superintendent, and through the use of innovative tools like the Telephone Town Hall, I am pleased that I will be able to hear the views and opinions of people all over Arizona."

In addition to the use of innovative technology to hear from parents and educators when elected, Williams has committed to reach stakeholders in their communities by working at least one day each week outside of Maricopa County.


His weekly visits will include in-person town hall forums in communities across the state, as well as meetings with key stakeholders in every county.

Volunteer

Also, much like he does with his campaign's famed yellow school bus, Williams plans to tour the state in a mobile office, giving teachers and administrators direct access to Department of Education services in their own communities.

The next two Telephone Town Halls will take place Tuesday, July 27th from 7:00-8:00 p.m. and Sunday, August 1st from 3:00-4:00 p.m. Anybody interested in participating in the forum can sign up by contacting the Williams For Arizona Campaign Headquarters at HelpKids@WilliamsForArizona.com or (602) 795-4734.

To learn more about Jason Williams, visit his website here.

Get on the Bus to Victory!

Over the past year and a half, you have joined me as I've campaigned across the state, meeting voters in every corner of Arizona at town halls, club meetings, community picnics, candidate forums, house parties and receptions. You've helped me carry our message that we need to change the direction our state's leaders have been taking us.

Status quo and special interest insiders have controlled education in Arizona for too long, and they have failed. This election is too important to the future of our state and our children to continue playing musical chairs at the Department of Education.

It's time we start putting kids first. It is imperative that we win this election so our children will have a true public education advocate representing them as Superintendent of Public Instruction. We must win in November, but first we must win the August 24th primary election.

With early voting in the primary set to begin in just 7 days, it is crucial that we continue to reach every voter in Arizona. Your help is critical to our success. Please volunteer today!

To ensure victory in the August 24th Primary and November 2nd General Elections, our campaign is running an aggressive grassroots effort to earn the necessary votes. You and the other members of our statewide network are critical to this endeavor.

I invite you to Get on the Bus with us. We need volunteers every day from now until Election Day. Please sign up to volunteer today!

There are several activities and fun opportunities to get involved with the campaign, including:

• Ride with me on the Williams For Arizona Campaign School Bus

• Call voters to educate them about the campaign

• Pass out literature to voters

• Help answer phones, enter data, and other important tasks at Campaign Headquarters

Click here to sign up and let us know how you can help or contact our campaign headquarters by email or by phone (602) 795-4734.

Thank you for your continued support. With your help, I am certain that we will win in 2010 and secure a more promising future for all of our children!

Early Voting for the Primary Election starts in just 7 days! Please volunteer today and Get on the Bus to Victory with the Williams For Arizona Campaign. Click here to sign up and let us know how you can help or contact our campaign headquarters by email or  by phone (602) 795-4734.